Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

The powerful memoir from the beloved star of Friends

By: Matthew Perry

Narrated by: Matthew Perry

'There's never been a more honest or raw memoir . . . and it may just save lives' Daily Mail

'Funny, fascinating, compelling . . . also a wonderful read for fans of Friends' The Times

'HI, MY NAME IS MATTHEW, although you may know me by my full name. My friends call me Matty.'

So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who travelled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us . . . and so much more.

In an extraordinary story that only he could tell - and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it - Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true. But he also details the peace he's found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of Friends, sharing stories about his castmates and other stars he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and with his trademark humour, Perry vividly depicts his lifelong battle with addiction and what fuelled it despite seemingly having it all.

'An unflinching and often harrowing must-read for 90s pop culture fans' Guardian

'Written with Chandler's trademark sarcasm and self-deprecation' Telegraph

'A hopeful read . . . I started to think of [it] not as a celebrity memoir about addiction, but as an addiction memoir written by a man who understands his own history through the prism of showbiz' Independent©2022 Matthew Perry

Critic reviews

Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing is a raw, unflinching memoir that took courage to write. As it turns out, Matthew Perry has a lot of courage. He takes us through his addiction, his illness and his paralyzing loneliness. Somehow, during the course of his life, Matthew was able to turn his pain into comedic joy for others, but, he tells us, it was at a cost. Matthew takes us through his "hell" but doesn't wallow. Ultimately, this book is filled with hope for the future. If you want to know about who Matthew Perry is, stay away from the rags and read this.

There's never been a more honest or raw memoir . . . and it may just save lives (Daily Mail)

Funny, fascinating, compelling . . . also a wonderful read for fans of Friends

Harrowing and revealing about the juncture where extreme compound addiction collides with mega-celebrity

An unflinching and often harrowing must-read for 90s pop culture fans

Written with Chandler's trademark sarcasm and self-deprecation

A hopeful read . . . I started to think of [it] not as a celebrity memoir about addiction, but as an addiction memoir written by a man who understands his own history through the prism of showbiz

honest

I struggled to finish this because the information was so hard for me to digest, as a person who has not experienced most challenges Matty faced. I am grateful for that, and grateful for his honest and letting us in to see and hopeful understand how it all really feels like.

You will be missed, Matthew

I cried, laughed, smiled and cried some more (when I was finished I cried). I read the book whilst listening to him narrating the book himself and it was a beautiful unique experience - getting to hear a voice that has changed my life (thank you chandler) and that I will miss deeply, it was bitter sweet, it hurt but it also warmed my heart. I love how his writing portrays so well how he is and his transparency. His battle was far from easy, I’m impressed with how he did it. I have to say I feel deeply sad he didn’t get his happy ending on earth- but, Matthew, wherever you are, I hope you’re happy and at peace, you’ll always help so many people. Thank you. ❤️

A Truly Good Book

Thankyou for the insights. Never learned so much about addiction and alcoholism before. Also interesting to know a bit more about the person behind the stardom. It’s also funny. What I like the most is that it feels true. No boasting. It’s a matter a fact. Loved the book. Really feel that this is a human being with all its flaws and greatness. The whole spectrum. The meaning is a bit low key. Leaves me as a listener so figure thinks out for myself too. Matthew lives on. Somewhere.

REMARKABLE

Being so honest and changing the view about himself in public it’s incredibly brave…thank you for this book

Poignant listen, brilliant

Heartbreaking story as we know how it ends. So well worth a listen and highly recommended.